What does the diff-lock do on a land cruiser?

kirr45 · 25 Dec 2010, 11:09 am

I have a 2005 toyota landcruiser and it has a button that I think is for the diff-lock. It's on the driver's side near the driver's knee. I was driving on really thick and soft/loose sand and out of boredom I came to a complete stop. I didn't use that button and made it out of the sand with no problem. I was wondering if I used that button, would it have helped? When do you use the diff-lock button?

ta2dpilot · 25 Dec 2010, 11:24 am

a differential lock prevents one wheel or another from spinning freely when there is a loss of traction. The differential on a vehicle allows the wheels to turn at different rates in a turn. The outer wheel in a turn has to travel a longer distance than the inner one. If you lock the differential, both (or all 4, in 4wd vehicles) wheels will turn at the same speed. This allows better traction in mud or snow, since it prevents the free spinning of the wheel with less traction. Do not drive on hard surfaces with the diff-lock on.

Michael · 25 Dec 2010, 11:39 am

That's for times you get into sand on the Navajo reservation north of Tuba City. I maintain a microwave site there and have nearly had to chain up all 4 to get out of some of those sand pits.

What does the diff-lock do on a land cruiser?

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